Uplifted Spirit

Alan, your note uplifted my spirit. I like the way you expressed your love of the story. Glad to hear I'm your drug dealer and Matt and Andy are you drug. Very clever. I'm curious. Don't you think Matt and Thomas have more in common than Andy and Matt? Of course, that isn't to say they are right for each other. A strong bond of friendship is important to any relationship, although I've heard some say otherwise. Thanks for your nice remarks.

Zarek, it's good he got Megan out of his system. Well, not entirely. He's messed with her life some and now he's in a bind. He and Andy will always be friends no matter what, even if it's hard sometimes. Short reviews are better than no reviews so thanks for taking the time to write.

Knots 5 Chapter 9 Colt & Zoe Things didn’t go as well for Colt as they had for Matt. Zoe wasn’t ready for sex, so she kept putting him off. Colt tried, but he could only get as far as touching her breasts and french kissing. He soon got tired of waiting and told her he had better things to do with his time. Colt just happened to call Andy the day before his next appointment with Dr. Walker. “Hey, you want to hook up? Zoe’s being a bitch, and I’m horny.

Zarek, as usual, you are full of wisdom. You're ahead of the game here because the next chapter is about something very similar to what you are talking about. Matt still doesn't want to be tied down by anyone, but the question is, who will he really fall in love with. His parents discuss this with him. I've ultimately decided that since Matt is Bi, then he will settle down with the one he loves. There could be a few more choices yet to come and I think I now know who he's going to be with in the end and it might surprise you.

Columbus Guy, what do you mean we got the icky hetero sex out of the way? lol Megan did win her bet, but she has the same problem Andy has. She wants a boyfriend. What will happen now?

Knots 5 Chapter 8 Matt Megan’s parents fed us pizza for dinner. Her mother asked, “What did you two do all day?” Fortunately, Megan saved me the trouble of having to lie, by lying to her parents for the both of us. I just smiled. I headed over to Andy’s around eight that evening to tell him about Megan and me. He told me he didn’t want to hear about it. “I listened to you,” I said. “Now it’s your turn to listen to me. Besid

Zarek, what you and Columbus Guy have had to say has influenced the writing of this story. I do get emails also. A few people quit reading when Andy and Matt starting whoring and I understand that, but there wouldn't have been a Dr. Walker without that. I've been thinking I need to go back and write a qualification by them before they do it so that the reader will know things smooth out. I like the idea of a dream sequence with Matt dying or the reverse of Matt dreaming that Andy dies. Seems more likekly that it would come from Andy since he's seeing Dr. Walker. Thanks to you I wrote Matt's qualification about being like MLK etc. Someone had commented that they thought his ideals were a bit too high. But you are right, we should strive to be our best. We often fail of course, but it's good to have a goal like that. Matt and Andy will continue to be tested like we all are. It's part of growing up. And if you look at most of us, we continue to make mistakes. I mentioned you in my response to Columbus Guy. I kind of did these in reverse by starting at the top instead of from the bottom. I just made a couple comments on your story, Another Chance.

Columbus Guy, thanks to you and Zarek I have finally decided how this story will end. Ultimately, it's love that counts between two people. So the question is, "Who will Matt fall in love with?" Who will he want to spend his life with. It's not really who he wants to have sex with. Too often we confuse the two. Let's say he loves sex with a girl more than with a guy, but he is in love with a guy. What will Matt do? This is the question that is in my mind. I'd be curious to hear what your answer is.

Knots 5 Chapter 7 Andy Naturally, I began to think about sex as soon as I left Dr. Walker’s office. It’s one thing to agree to something and quite another to realize what I’d committed myself to for the next two weeks. After all, I’d hoped Dr. Walker would say it was okay to screw around with whomever I wanted since I wasn’t in a committed relationship. But of course, he didn’t. I have to give Dr. Walker credit because he made me realize I was a bit depressed and very unhap

Knots 5 Chapter 6 Andy I was lusting for my hour with Dr. Walker, and so it seemed like Wednesday was never going to come. It had only been a few days since my mother made the appointment, but it felt like an eternity, mostly because I had my thoughts on a Colt, Scott, and Ashton foursome. I’m sure it’s obvious from anyone who’s reading this that I was really fucked up, unless you’re looking forward to reading about a foursome. But after meeting with Dr. Walker, I soon reali

Zarek, you're right, Matt is aiming at filling some big shoes. But like John Donne said, "A man's reach should exceed his grasp." Like I was telling Spikey, Matt is trying to get back to the guy he was when was younger. He has his whole senior year ahead of him. He could be the starting quarterback and be a hero and leader at his school. He doesn't want to be a Dillon Burke. You made me laugh when you said Thomas was probably at home crying. Matt may find himself locked in if Megan really falls for him and he decides she not right for him. The next chapter has a bit more reflection by Matt and Andy's first session with Dr. Walker. I love writing those scenes as I was telling Columbus Guy and Spikey. I always appreciate your comments Zarek. You're insightful. Thanks

Spikey, I'm sometimes not sure where the story is going either. This was only supposed to be Knots 1, but has kept on going like the Energizer Bunny. Matt has actually always been this way. He slipped and when he slipped a lot of readers were disappointed in him. He's trying to get back to the old Matt, the one we got to know in the first Knots books. Matt ended up doing things neither he or anyone else would have ever expected. He's struggling to get back. I'm not sure he thinks he's better than anyone. He's loyal to Andy and like he said, the initials LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transexual. To think that being bisexual is a bad thing, and I'm not saying that you're saying that, but it's as much a part of who he is as if he was gay or transexual. The girls are playing their tricks. A story is not a story without conflict and Zoe and Megan have added a bit of conflict to the story. You're right about Colt. He's probably going to tell Zoe to get lost and hook up with Ashton, Scott, and Andy at some point. Of course, Andy is working with Dr. Walker and who knows what may come of that. Thanks for your honest feedback. It's greatly appreciated.

Deeper and deeper may be right. Or they are tying their knots tighter and tighter. Andy is one confused puppy. He sometimes appears focused, but if he was happy and had everything under control, he wouldn't need to see Dr. Walker. Chapter 6 has a more reflective Matt and the Dr. Walker session with Andy. I'll be curious what you have to say after the next chapter. I love your comments by the way.

You and Columbus Guy are really down on Matt. I just finished writing chapter 6 and Andy's session with Dr. Walker. I'm always surprised at what happens in Dr. Walker's office. I love writing the Dr. Walker scenes. Andy is always Andy as it turns out. Just as we think he's turned the corner he reverts back. This is probably typical of most of us. Change comes slowly. Thomas made the right move. I could see Thomas and Matt together. I"m not sure it will ever happen, but they could easily make the right couple. We'll have to see. Will Andy hook up with Colt, who knows. That's always a possibility, but since Colt doesn't want to settle down either, Andy may have to solo and hook up with Ashton and Scott.

Columbus, you are so hard on Matt. You called him a sleaze. I'm smiling by the way. Andy is wise enough to go to Dr. Walker and their session is in Chapter 6. I just never know what Dr. Walker or Andy will do. But then I never know what my characters will do. Matt may surprise you in the end. Colt too. Well, Colt, I'm not so sure about. He may get a little wild. Glad you liked the chapter.

Edward, thanks for the comment. I love writing the Dr. Walker chapters.

Knots 5 Chapter 5 Matt That damn Megan was a tease, but the friend in my pants and I had a date with her next Saturday. I figured it was a wait and see opportunity. Should I or shouldn’t I try to have sex was the question I kept asking myself. She seemed willing and didn’t seem willing at the same time. This was going to be like losing my virginity all over again, and as stupid as it sounded, I kept wondering if Megan was the right one. My problem has always b

Columbus Guy, what's a story with all kinds of intrigue and conflict? I can't say that I think about what these guys will experience next, but you know as a writer as does Zarek, our characters always do what they want and they are always surprising us. I find it interesting you see Andy as being more stable than Matt. My experience is that those who want to make sure they are heading in the right direction are often confused for a time until they can find the right course. Andy is kind of all over the place in many respects. Matt's date with Megan makes us wonder what he'll do, but despite his time with Megan he might want to do other things. More to come. I started reading Jay and Miles.

Zarek I realize the more I write that life is not predictable. We expect it to be, but just as we think everything is going great, something changes. I'm wondering what Andy and Thomas might do. As far as that goes, what might Colt and Matt do. Then of course Andy has had his eyes on Colt for some time. There are just too many temptation going. You'll see this is the next chapter. Thanks for writing.

Knots 5 Chapter 4 Matt Megan put her hand inside my elbow as we walked in to get our tickets. She looked up at me like she was in love. It made me feel uncomfortable. We got a big box of popcorn and a Coke. Our hands kept meeting in the popcorn box until it was almost empty. She grabbed my hand, pulled it out of the box, and held it. I held on and didn’t let go. Halfway through the movie I let go of her hand and put my right arm around her shoulder. She move

Knots 5 Chapter 3 Matt That fucking Andy came over my house Sunday morning and started talking about his hot threesome. It made me hard and that made it all the harder to tell him to stop. “Damn, Andy. I don’t want to hear this shit. I don’t care about your sexual exploits.” “Yeah, but you’re my best friend.” I pushed him down on my bed and stood over him. “You said the same thing last time. I don’t want to hear it. Got it? Best friends or not

Spikey Don't forget that Andy was ready to steal Colt from Thomas and it was only because Matt interfered and talked to Colt that it never happened. Andy and Matt are very different, but their friendship is strong. This was one of the things Dr. Walker emphasized. He told them to talk about their feelings. I have to admit that I toyed with the idea of Andy and Thomas getting together, but am no longer sure of that. I think it's more likely that Matt and Thomas would get together. They actually have a lot in common. Matt may not be ready to settle down, but it seems more likely that when he is ready, Thomas would be the more likely one to settle with. As the writer, I'm beginning to wonder if Andy would ever truly be happy. If he was with Matt, it's possible he would soon grow tired of him and find him boring. You've made me think a lot about the future as do many of those who write reviews. The reviewers make me see the characters in a different light than I do when I look at them just from my perspective. And of course the hardest thing for a writer is to make sure our characters "stay in character" so to speak. Matt is funny at times, but Andy's always saying and doing goofy things. Matt is more focused and serious. So is Thomas. Matt and Thomas are more serious. Colt is kind of a blend between the two of them. Then of course there's Randy, who has gone off the deep end. Ashton is more like Andy. Scott more like Matt and Thomas, but each is still their own individual character. Anyway, you can tell you made me think a lot about what you had to say.

Columbus Colt and Matt are alike in that they have a curiosity about life and don't want to be locked into a cage. They want to fly. But I believe that's the only way they are the same. Colt is still somewhat immature because of his age while Matt is more mature because he's experienced a lot, just like Thomas. Actually, experienced a lot more than Thomas. Hopefully, he's learned from his mistakes. The same goes for the rest of us. Dr. Walker's advice to Andy and Matt was that they always talk about what's on their mind. Andy was an ass for talking to Matt about sex with Ashton, but he's hurt and this was his way of striking back at Matt. I know I always try to think about what I'd do in the situations my characters find themselves in. I'm sure you do the same when you write. While I'm kind of a laid back person, I could see Andy getting back at Matt and forcing Matt to listen. Matt has set the parameters of their relationship and Andy is working within them. Matt doesn't want a relationship, but their friends and friends talk about this kind of stuff even if they don't want to hear it. Thinking about it, these characters are both part of my personality. I didn't realize it until I got half way through Knots 4. I used to always think of myself as Matt. The funny side of Andy is in me too. No, I never did the things they've done, but I'm reading a story now where this kid (15) has leukemia and he takes off to Los Angeles and becomes a male escort. He thinks that by running away he's making it easier on his mother. Stupid thinking I know. But sometimes we do stupid things. Hell, if anyone of my friends knew I wrote stories like Knots, they'd all be shocked, and I have no idea what would happen to our friendship. Hopefully, now that we're all older, they wouldn't care. But some one say that writing these stories is as bad as being a male escort or some other such thing. Although, I'm finding that our society is more willing to accept a wide variety of behaviors now days.

Zarek Andy is still a lose canon. Even if Matt had made a commitment, you'd have to wonder like you said, if he'd be loyal. And you are right, most teenage relationships do not last. Yes, some do. I know of a couple who is in their 80's. He was 19 and she was 16 when they got married. They are wonderful people, and I'm sure none of it came easy. But they are the exception. I know readers love romance and there should be romance in a story, but I like to think that romance takes many different forms and they should all be put in a story. Friendship is also important and you are making me wonder, if in the end, a good strong friendship is more important than romance. Romance is so much about our emotions, which as you know can change from one minute to the next. Where friendship is tied less to emotion. Maybe this is why marriages where the couples are best friends work the best. Thanks for your insights and making me think.

Knots 5 Chapter 2 Matt I couldn’t believe it, but Thomas called me Saturday around 8:00 PM. He was crying. He told me all about his talk with Colt and their date with Megan and Zoe. He told me he and Megan decided to be friends, and that surprised me. At first it was hard to understand what he was saying through his tears, but I finally made out that he told Colt if he felt he needed to fly, then he should. Fly? What the hell? I shouldn’t be surprised becaus